Eagles Fan in 'Skins Land

The hype is over, and with it, the 2007 NFL season finally draws to a close.  Only 12 days until pitchers and catchers report!

New England (-12.0) vs. New York Giants.  I've been listening to pundits and prognosticators for the last 13 days, and much Kool Aid has been washed down on the Giants' chances of even winning this game.  Let's face it, people -- this one should be simple.  The Pats are just too good.  Welcome to perfection.  Pick: Patriots, 45-10

Other picks:

Halftime score: Patriots, 27-3

Number of different receivers Tom Brady will hit: 10

Eli Manning INTs: 3

Randy Moss TDs: 2

MVP: QB Tom Brady, NE

Number of cutaways to members of the 1972 Dolphins in attendance: 999,999

This is kind of shocking.

Associated Press/washingtonpost.com

Heath Ledger Found Dead in NYC at Age 28 

By TOM HAYS

The Associated Press
Tuesday, January 22, 2008; 4:54 PM

NEW YORK -- Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday at a downtown Manhattan residence in a possible drug-related death, police said. He was 28. NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said Ledger had an appointment for a massage at the Manhattan apartment believed to be his home. The housekeeper who went to let Ledger know the masseuse was there found him dead at 3:26 p.m.

The Australian-born actor was an Oscar nominee for his role in "Brokeback Mountain" and has numerous other screen credits.

The last week of real football is here! 

Uh, last week?  What about the Super Bowl? 

Oh, you mean a game played amid endless hype in a neutral stadium in warm weather?  For football fans, the game was meant to be played outdoors in whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at us.  Personally, I'm rooting for a surprise snowstorm in Glendale in two weeks.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP -- New York Giants at Green Bay (-7.5).  The Packers coaching staff has a lot of WD-40 available for Brett Favre's bionic implants in case they seize and freeze while on the frozen tundra of Lambeau.  Pick: Packers, 21-13

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP -- San Diego at New England (-14.0).  If the Chargers run out of healthy starters this week, their backup plan is to wear special helmets with high-beams on the foreheads to blind Tom Brady when he drops back to pass.  Pick: Patriots, 33-10

On Monday night (1/7/08), around 9 PM, my girlfriend and I saw a large fireball in the south-southeastern sky, just above the treeline on the National Mall near the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.  It was hazy with high clouds, but the meteor still was the brightest object in the sky for about 3 seconds, moving slowly from east to west on a diagonal toward the ground and shining at magnitude -6 to -7 by my estimate.

Anyone else happen to see that?  It was probably the brightest fireball I've ever seen, and I saw one in broad daylight last year, too.

We've reached the end of the line!  Two playoff spots are still in play, with four games affecting the outcome.  Bizarre lines litter the landscape, as playoff-bound teams rest their starters for more important games next month.

Buffalo at Philadelphia (-8.0).  The Eagles are hanging their heads high going into the offseason, as they saw what could've been the last two weeks.  If Donovan McNabb looks as good as he did against Dallas and New Orleans, look out next year.  Pick: Eagles, 27-14

Dallas at Washington (-9.0).  If the 'Skins don't win this game, they probably don't deserve to be in the playoffs.  I'm no Redskins fan, but it's really, really hard to root for the Cowboys.  Pick: Redskins, 21-10

St. Louis at Arizona (-6.0).  At least the next game at University of Phoenix Stadium will actually count for something (i.e., the Super Bowl).  Pick: Cardinals, 21-13

Seattle at Atlanta (pick).  I'm just glad I don't have real money on this game.  Pick: Seahawks, 20-17

Carolina (-3.0) at Tampa Bay.  Someone named Luke McCown is taking most of the snaps for the Bucs today against ancient (and retiring) QB Vinny Testaverde.  Which tells you all you need to know about this game.  Pick: Buccaneers, 17-13

Cincinnati (-2.5) at Miami.  The wretched Ravens took all the fun out of this game two weeks ago.  Pick: Bengals, 27-20

San Francisco at Cleveland (-12.0).  The Browns will play hard, but they cannot control their playoff destiny.  Win or lose, it all depends on Tennessee.  Pick: Browns, 33-17

Detroit at Green Bay (-5.0).  Brett Favre's cybernetic implants include a force field generator that protects him from the cold.  Pick: Packers, 20-10

Jacksonville at Houston (-6.5).  Apparently, a couple of nobodies will take the place of MJ-D and the ageless Fred Taylor for most of this one.  Yawn.  Pick: Jaguars, 17-14

Minnesota (-3.0) at Denver.  Finally, a game that means something!  Pick: Vikings, 20-13

New Orleans (-1.5) at Chicago.  The Saints, in need of a virtual miracle to get into the playoffs, plan to exhume a bunch of actual saints to replace their awful secondary.  Pick: Saints, 27-24

Kansas City at New York Jets (-6.0).  Aren't you glad this is the last time we're getting matchups like this?  Pick: Chiefs, 17-10

Pittsburgh (-3.0) at Baltimore.  The Ravens are so bad that the cartoon birds on their helmets flew away in embarrassment.  Pick: Steelers, 17-9

San Diego (-8.5) at Oakland.  Watch the Raiders next year.  If they get any kind of offense.  Pick: Chargers, 17-10

Tennessee (-5.0) at Indianapolis.  The game of the week, as the Titans try to get into the postseason, while it remains to be seen how long the Indy starters will be in it.  The Browns are hoping that it will be enough for the Colts to pull it out.  Pick: Colts, 21-17

For Week 17, there's very little in the way of drama.  Only a handful of games count as crucial for history or playoff implications.  So much for parity!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29

New England (-13.5) at New York Giants.  Let's look at this objectively.  The Patriots say they don't care about a perfect season, but you know that they really do.  It's human nature, so they'll try to win.  And the Giants say they're going to try to win, but let's face it -- there's a far more important game next week in Tampa.  So at least for a half, it'll be the Pats' first team vs. the Giants' scrubeenies.  Hey, aren't there 20 episodes of Cops on tonight?  Pick: Patriots, 55-10

While watching yesterday's dismantling of the 'Aints, I saw flashes of the old Donovan McNabb.  That 40-yard race to the end zone three plays into the game was something to behold, at least until the ball was punched out of his arms.  Does that mean he's back to something close to 100%, one of the most feared players in the East, let alone the entire NFC?  We'll see.

And how about that game last night?  The Vikings sure know how to come up big when everything is on the line.  On the other hand, you Skins fans ought to be proud of your team right now, as they have stepped up and played their best football over the past few weeks.  And since the Cowboys probably aren't going to bring their 'A' game next week...

Still, I'll be SHOCKED if there's a QB controversy next summer.

To the tune of "Sleigh Ride" --

Don't hear no sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling too,

Come on it's lovely weather to sit down on the sofa with you!

Outside the fog is rolling and friends are calling, "Hey you."

"There are games now going and more playoff spots to be due!"

Philadelphia at New Orleans (-3.0). The big controversy here in Philly is whether Donovan McNabb told ESPN's Pam Oliver that his days with the Eagles were numbered. An even bigger flap will brew in New Orleans if McNabb lights up the rotten Saints secondary. Pick: Eagles, 30-28

Washington at Minnesota (-6.0). Vikings Coach Brad Childress has ordered QB Tavares Jackson to throw a see-through transparent ball on passing downs so the Redskins won't have a chance to pick him off. Pick: Redskins, 20-17

New York Giants (-2.0) at Buffalo. The annual Giant December Swoon is nearly complete. Pick: Bills, 24-17

Atlanta at Arizona (-10.0). For those bored fans who have no more Christmas shopping to do this weekend. Pick: Cardinals, 27-10

Cleveland (-2.5) at Cincinnati.  One of the great mysteries in life is why oddsmakers sometimes place an overemphasis on home-field advantage in sometimes obvious mismatch games.  Pick: Browns, 33-24

Green Bay (-8.0) at Chicago.  On the other hand, here's a decent spread for a home 'dog.  Yeah, the Bears usually step up when the hated Pack are in town, but the truth is that Green Bay is vastly superior.  Pick: Packers, 27-14

Kansas City (-4.5) at Detroit.  Two old and proud franchises on the downtrodden in recent years with nothing to play for.  That pretty much sums up the last couple weeks of the NFL season.  Pick: Lions, 20-17

Houston at Indianapolis (-7.0).  Coach Tony Dungy is going to start resting players to prepare for the playoffs.  Not that it's going to help the Texans any.  Pick: Colts, 28-13

Oakland at Jacksonville (-13.0).  The perfect tuneup for the Jags' potent top-flight rushing attack.  Pick: Jaguars, 30-10

Miami at New England (-22.0).  Now is the time to light up the scoreboard, Tom Brady.  You're anchoring my fantasy team!  Pick: Patriots, 44-10

Baltimore at Seattle (-11.0).  When Ravens Coach Brian Billick got his contract extended a few weeks ago, he must have taken it as a mandate to give up on the season.  Apparently, that's what his players have done.  Pick: Seahawks, 33-13

Tampa Bay (-5.5) at San Francisco.  Whatever points the Niners will score in this game will be by accident.  Pick: Buccaneers, 27-6

New York Jets at Tennessee (-8.5).  The worship of Vince Young will continue for the foreseeable future, or at least until the Titans don't reach the playoffs for the umpteenth straight year.  Pick: Titans, 20-7

Denver at San Diego (-8.5).  Turns out that not even Norv Turner could miss the playoffs with this team.  Pick: Chargers, 28-10

Christmas is finally just about here!  As Ralphie Parker would say, wonderful, glorious Christmas!  And there are two short weeks left in the NFL season, to boot.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

Pittsburgh (-7.5) at St. Louis.  I don't want to say that the Steelers are reeling or anything, but doesn't this have a trap game feeling to anyone besides me?  With the Cinderella Browns breathing down their necks, this is suddenly -- and unexpectedly -- a huge game for Steeltown.  Pick: Rams, 21-20

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22

Dallas (-10.5) at Carolina.  Normally, this wouldn't be much of a contest.  However, my Iggles beat up on the Cowboys last week, and hurt Tony Romo's widdle thumb in the process.  In front of girlfriend du jour Jessica Simpson, natch.  As Han Solo once said, I have a very bad feeling about this...  Pick: Cowboys, 21-20

Yeah, I know the Cowboys have had a great season and won the NFC East and the Eagles have mostly stunk and are probably not going to the playoffs.  But a win over the Cowboys is always something to be celebrated, and this season it's probably the Eagles' biggest highlight.  So...

HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYZ???

Tony Romo -- 3 INTs, sacked 4 times, career-low 22.2 QB rating

T.O. -- 2 catches, 37 yards, no TDs

Marion Barber III -- 7 carries, 32 yards

Cowboys offense -- 240 total yards, no TDs

Life is sweet this week!

Bah, we got cheated out of winter weather here.  There's nothing worse than a cold rain to ruin your weekend.  Other NFL game sites, however, will be dealing with snow and cold.

Philadelphia at Dallas (-10.0).  My hatred of the Cowboys is clouding my judgment.  Pick: Eagles, 20-17

Washington at New York Giants (-4.0).  This could be interesting news from the National Weather Service for East Rutherford, NJ --

A chance of rain before 9pm, then a chance of snow showers, mainly between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy, with a west wind between 18 and 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

What's harder to forecast than the weather?  How teams will play in bad weather.  Pick: Redskins, 13-6

Baltimore (-3.0) at Miami.  Miami is a mess.  The Ravens are in disarray.  Here's your Toilet Bowl of the week, compelling only to see if the 'Fins could continue their quest for 0-16.  Pick: Ravens, 27-9

Buffalo at Cleveland (-5.5).  Both teams may be hot right now, but let's face it -- the Browns are the better team.  The heavy snow and 50 MPH winds in the forecast?  That could make things very interesting.  Pick: Browns, 13-10

Green Bay (-8.0) at St. Louis.  Brett Favre's cybernetic implants may seize up in the cold weather.  Pick: Packers, 24-10

Indianapolis (-10.0) at Oakland.  Time for Peyton to toss a long bomb or three into the Black Hole.  Pick: Colts, 30-10

New York Jets at New England (-21.0).  Bad weather notwithstanding (though the feared blizzard probably won't materialize in Foxboro), there's NOBODY in America who's giving the Jets a chance to get within 30 points of winning.  Nobody rational, that is.  However, keep in mind that the line was as high as 27 early last week.  Pick: Patriots, 55-13

Arizona at New Orleans (-3.5).  Two pass-happy offenses = loads of fun in the Superdome!  Pick: Saints, 38-33

Jacksonville at Pittsburgh (-4.0).  Snow and 45 MPH winds?  The forecast: Willie Parker vs. Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew in a run-off.  Pick Jaguars, 17-13

Detroit at San Diego (-10.5).  For all of Norv Turner's faults, the Chargers appear to be coasting toward a division title.  Facing the pathetic Motor City Kitties oughta help.  Pick: Chargers, 27-14

Seattle (-7.0) at Carolina.  Meet Maurice Morris, Seattle's newest rising star.  Pick: Seahawks, 24-10

Atlanta at Tampa Bay (-12.5).  Poor Emmitt Thomas, a class act who deserves better.  Atlanta's new (interim) coach finally gets a long-deserved chance, and he gets saddled with this.  Pick: Buccaneers, 30-10

Tennessee (-3.5) at Kansas City.  As Dr. Seuss says in perhaps his most famous story: The three words that best describe you, are, and I quote: "Stink. Stank. Stunk."  Pick: Titans, 24-10

Chicago at Minnesota (-10.0).  Kyle Orton is the Bears new starting quarterback.  Pass the Maalox.  Pick: Vikings, 30-17

It's the week before the week before Christmas, and a major winter storm threatens to wreak havoc with the NFL schedule.  But before that, here are a couple of games to ponder.

Thursday, December 13

Denver (-1.5) at Houston.  No weather problems here, but with Denver's disappointing season and Sage Rosenfels' brilliant fill-in work last week, all signs point to...a Denver win.  Pick: Broncos, 20-13

Saturday, December 15

Cincinnati (-8.0) at San Francisco.  Too bad they're not playing this game back east in the slop that's in the forecast.  Then it would be worth watching.  Pick: Bengals, 30-10